Check-writing machine



L. M. TODD AND M. H. JDHANSON. CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10. 1916.

1,3 4,9 2, 3; Patented Jan. 11,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- Mmuwrummwmm 1 \III LIBANUSM TODL and MA Gil/[IS H JOHNSON 1 N I E N TQRS THEIR A TTORNE Y L. M. TODD AND M. H. JOHANSDN.

CHECKYWRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, 1915.

1,364,962. Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

LIBANUS M7000 & x Q YAMGNUSK JoHAMswv INVEN TORS THEIR A TTORNEY L. M. TODD AND M. H. JOHANSON.

CHECKWRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, 19I6.

1,364,962. Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IYIII/l/II/III/I LIBANUS M TODD and MAGNUS H JOHANSOM,

11v ILN TORS THEIR ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LIBANUS it. Tom) A D IAGNUS n. J'OHANSON, or noonns'rnn, Nnw Yonx, AssIoNons TO TODD rno'rncroenun COMPANY, or nocnnsrnn, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

CHECK-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 10, 1916. Serial No. 90,116.

7 '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, LIBANUs M. TODD and MAGNUS H. J OHANSON, both of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Check-Writing Machines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable any person skilled in the art to which the invention appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to printing apparatus, and, more particularly, to those varieties of printing machines which are suitable for writing inscriptions upon small forms of paper, such, for instance, as checks, drafts and the like, and one object of the invention is to provide a machine adapted for marking upon a check at one printing operation the value for which the instrument is drawn expressed in words and to impress the latter upon the paper in close proximity with a small uniform space between adjacent words.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convenient machine of this variety having a wide range of type available for use, and adapted for rapid operation, especially where the same legend is to be repeatedly impressed, as in printing the value upon a number of checks drawn for the same amount, such, for instance, as payroll checks. To accomplish this object the machine is so constructed that all type required for printing an inscription may be readily selected at one time subsequently printed at a single operation. Consequently,

where there are a number of checks to be marked with the same legend, it is only necessary to select the desired type once, after which the checks may be quickly printed by a single impression for each.

Another object is to rovide a machine having a convenient means for precisely and automatically centering and locking the selected types in printing position.

Another object is to provide a machine having a convenient means for restoring the selected type to normal position.

These and other objects and advanta s will be fully understood from the following detailed description of one embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which 2-- Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the front of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the side of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction indi cated by the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on the line 4-4 of Fig.3, looking in the direction indicated by t e arrows.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 in the direction shown by the arrows. The present invention provides a print mg machine especially adapted for conveniently and rapidl writing upon small forms of paper, such, or instance, as a check or other negotiable instrument, and embodies some of the features disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1138330, granted jointly to Libanus M. Todd and Charles G. Tiefel. May 4, 1915, for an improvement in'check writers.

The present invention, however, supplies a machine so constructed that the types required for printing an, entire inscription, such, for instance, as the monetary value of a check, may all be brought at one time to printing position and impressed at a single operation of the machine. One of the advantages of such a construction is that where the inscription is to be repeatedly impressed, as in printing a number of checks for the same amount, it is only necessary to select the type once, after which the subsequent impressions may be made by a single operation of the machine for each, thus sav ing a great deal of time as compared with machines of this class common to the art in which the individual type require to be selected each time that an inscription is printed.

For accomplishing the objects stated there is provided a machine having a frame, or casing, comprising a base portion 10, and an upper substantially cylindrical portion 11,

. these portions being partially separated by a work receiving slot 12 extending rearwardl from the front of the machine above a wor supporting bed, or table, 13, formed on the top of the base portion 10 of the easing. The upper portion of the casing comprises a rear wall 14 (Fig. 4) from'which extends forwardly a circular wall 15, within which and supported on the rear wall 14 is a bearing 16 rotatably supporting, by means of ball bearings 17, a shaft 18 extending forwardly toward the front of the machine.

Fixed on the shaft 18 by means'of a pin 19 is a carrier, or type wheel, 20, having stiffening ribs 21 and an outer periphery, or rim, 22, provided at intervals with guideways 23 in each of which is supported for a longitudinal sliding movement axially of the type wheel a type supporting member, or bar, 24, each member having a dovetail fit in the guideways 23 to slidably hold it in position. The outer surface of each type supporting member extends slightly above the rim 22 of the type wheel and is provided with a series of raised type forms 25 spaced from each other longitudinally of the bar and extending in parallel relation circumferentially of the type wheel. Each type supporting member 24 is provided on its inner face with spirally disposed gear teeth 26 meshing with the teeth of a corresponding gear 27 mounted on a spindle 28 journaled at one end in a bearing 29 on the type wheel, and at the otherend in a face plate 30 fixed on the shaft 18 and closing the front of the upper portion of the casing.' Fixed on the forward end of each spindle 28 without the face plate 30 is a handpiece, or knob, 31, carrying a dial 32 (Fig.1) over which extends an index or pointer 33. The dial has marked thereon figures forming a series of amounts represented by the type forms on the corresponding type member 24. These amounts, however, are printed by the type forms, not in figures, but in words, and the arrangement of the markings of each dial and of the type forms on the corresponding type member is such that when one of the knobs 31 is turned to bring one of the amounts on the dial into registry with the index the type member 24 is adjusted axially of the type wheel along its guide way by means of the spiral gearing until the type form corresponding to the selected amount is brought to printing position, that is, to

' position for engaging in rolling contact during the rotation of the type wheel with a platen wheel 34 adapted to be raised and lowered through an aperture 35 in the printing bed 13. By means of this selecting mechanism any number of type forms with which it is desired to print may be brought into alinement with each other circumferentially of the type wheel into the printing position described, so that during one revolution of the type wheel these forms will come successively into rolling engagement with the platen as explained. Referring to the dials of these selecting devices, shown in F ig. 1, it will be seen that types are provided for printing any amount in dollars and cents up to one million dollars, so that by selecting and bringing to printing position around the periphery of the type wheel the proper combination of forms any amount within the range indicated may be printed exact to the cent, in addition to which it will be understood that the dials marked with amounts in hundreds are employed to print the word Hundred as well as the amount indicated on the dial, and it will be noted that the dial 32 'may be employed to bring to printin position the denominational word housandf Type forms are also provided in proper position for printing the word Dollars and the word Cents. The dial 32 which controls the type forms which are in advance as the type wheel rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, may be employed to bring to printing position a line of stars, or other conventional character, for placinga limiting mark at the beginning or end of the line of the printed amount, as is customary in writing checks, to prevent the alteration of the written amount. Type forms for printing other convenient characters may be provided as indicated on the dials.

The rolling contact of the type forms and platen during the rotation of the type wheel serves to print each type form on the work and to simultaneously feed the work a distance corresponding to the length of the type form. The printing surfaces of the type forms and platen are preferably provided with circumferentially extending corrugations which are adapted to intermesh during the printing contact for the purpose of disruptin or shredding the fibers of the paper, there y preparing the latter to absorb and become impregnated by the printing ink so as to form an indelible impression upon the work. The inertia of the work, as well as the coaction of the corrugated surfaces serves to feed the work a distance slightly greater than the end of the type form printed, thereby providing a uniform spacing distance between the adjacent words,

as explained in the patent referred to above, so that further descri tion herein is unnecessary. And it is to noted that although the t pe forms are of varying lengths and naled in the forked end of an arm 36 fixed on a shaft 37 journaled in lugs 38 (Fig. 4) depending from the printing bed. Fixed on the other end of shaft 37 is an arm 39 extending upwardly through an opening in the printing bed. in position to engage the periphery of a cam ring 40 (Figs. 4 and 5) fixed on the rear end of the type wheel by means of screws 40. Cam 40 has formed vance during the rotation of the type wheel are beveled so that the contacting end of the arm 39 will ride easily upon these elevated portions, thus serving to rock the shaft 37 and thereby raise the platen into engagement with a type form on the type wheel, there being provided one of these elevations 42 of suitable dimension and location for raising the platen to position to engage in rolling contact with the forward end of any type form which may be in printing posi tion on any of the type supporting members 24. The rear ends of the type forms of each member 24 are in alinement longitudinally of the type bar, and the ends of the cam elevations 42 which are in rear during the rotation of the wheel are cut away. abruptly to allow the platen to be retracted by its spring as the common line of termination of the type forms of each type bar passes the platen, in order to regulate the work feeding coaction of the type forms and platen at the ends of the .words and thus to regulate the spacing distance between ad jacent words. When the type wheel is in initial position the platen is retracted as explained, to permit the free insertion and removal of the work.

When the platen is raised it presses the work through a slot 45 (Fig. 4) in a plate 46 fixed to the upper portion of the casing above the work slot12 and serving as a guard to protect the work, the work being raised through the slot in this plate just far enough for engagement with the type forms during the rotation of the wheel.

Themeans for guiding the work and retaining it against inadvertent movement on the printing bed comprises a small roll 47 (Fig. 3) journaled on the plate 46 and projecting slightly therebelow, and also a pair of spaced rollers 48, one of which is adapted to press the work upwardly against the roller 47, the other roller 48 pressing the work against the guard plate 46. The rollers 48 are carried at the ends of the frame 49 (Fig. 3) which is pivotally supported at 50 on an arm 51 fixed on a shaft 52, and arm 51 has an extension 53 to which is attached the other end 'of the platen actuating spring 43, so that the rolls 48 are urged upwardly by the action of the spr1ng 43. Means are provided, however, for moving the rolls to lowered position when the type wheel is brought to starting position, to permit of the insertion and removal of the work, comprising an arm 54 (Fig. 5) fixed on the other end of shaft 52 and havingjournaled at its other end at 55 a small roller 56 adapted to be engaged and depressed by contact with a short plate 57 (Figs. 4 and 5) fixed on the cam ring 40. The cotiperation of plate 57 with the roller 56 serves to maintain the rollers 48 in lowered position until the printing Wheel is rotated to produce an impression, at the beginning of which impression the rollers 48 are allowed to rise and engage the work. These rolls also serve to impart a slight drag or retardation to the work to prevent the inertia of the latter from producing an excessive feeding action.

The means for rotating the type wheel comprises a handle 58 (Figs. 1 and4) fixed to the type wheel near its periphery and projecting through an" opening in the-face plate in position to be conveniently grasped by the operator.

Means are provided for precisely centering the selected type forms in printing position after they have been approximately adjusted by the knobs 31, and for locking them in printing position during the operation of the machine, comprising a comb-- ing gear teeth (Figs. 4 and 5) with which are adapted to mesh the teeth of a sector 66 fixed on a spindle 67 journaled on the type Wheel and having an operating crank handle 68 extending through a slot 69 in the face plate at the front of the machine.

While the dogs may be moved to enga e and disengage the combs 59 by the han le 68, means is provided for automatically actuating this device to center and lock the type forms upon commencement of each printing revolution of the type wheel comprising an arm 70 fixed on the spindle 67 and having journaled on a pin 71 in its free end a roller 72 arranged to cotiperate with the periphery of a disk 73 (Figs. 4 and 5)- fixed tothe stationary bearin 16 of the. casing. Disk 73 has formed t erein a recess 74 so disposed that when the type wheel is in starting position the roller may be moved into the recess by means of the handle 68. thus permitting wheel 62 to be moved to disengage the dogs from combs 59 of the type bars. Upon commencement of the printin revolution of the type wheel however ro ler 72 is brought into contact with a camming surface 75 of disk 73 which rotates crank 70 and thereby moves dogs 61 to center the type bars which are thus positively locked until the type wheel is returned to starting position, when, by means of handle 68 the type may be unlocked for ad'ustment.

eans is provided for returning all of the type supporting members or bars 24 to zero position comprising preferably a pinion 76 (Figs. 3 and 4) fixed on each spindle 28 and meshing with a tooth sector77, one

for each type bar, pivotally supported at 78 by the face plate 30. Each sector 77 is provided with a rearwardly projecting pin 9-with which is adapted to cooperate a ug 80 formed on the periphery of a disk 81 fixed ati82 on a hub 83 rotatably mounted on the forward end of theshaft 18. Disk 81 is provided with teeth 84 (Figs. 3 and 4) meshing with the teeth of a sector 85 rotatably mounted at 86 on the shank of the handle 58, and also rotatably mounted on the shank of the handle 58 and fixed by means ofa rivet 87 to the sector 85 is a crank handle 88 projecting forwardly through a slot in the face plate 30,- By

shifting the handle 88 the disk 81 is r0-' tated throu h an angle suflicient to engage each of its u 80'with the pin 79 of any of the sectors" 7 that may have been moved by the adjustment of the respective type bars 24; from zero position, and by this means and the gearing connecting the sectors 77 and the type bars, tlie latter are restored to'zero osition. A spring 89is at tached to the ace plate 30 and to the disk 81 at 90 for urging the disk to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 3.

Means for inking the type forms are shown in Figs. 1 and 3 as comprising preferably a series of inking rolls 91 oosely journaled on a plate 92 on which plate is pivotally supported adjacent each inking roll an arm 93 which, through the agency of a spring 94, urges the inking roll into position for engagement with the type forms during the rotatlon of the latter. A pin 95 serves to limit this movement of the arm 93. Plate 92 and its parts are supported in a housing 96 pivoted at 97 to the casing and havin 1n its u per portion an aperture 98 with w ich is adapted to engage a latch 99 under the actuation of a sprlng 100.

Latch 99 has a finger piece 101 by means position by means of the knobs 31, and-the type wheel being in starting position, the work is inserted in slot 12 with the left hand end of the line to be printed resting on the printing bed above the platen wheel. The type wheel is then rotated by means of the handle 58, and at the beginning of its rotation, the type centering device centers and locks each type bar in printing position. As each type form brought to printing position is rotatedv'in succession over the platen, the

platen is raised for contact therewith by the i action of the cam 40, the platen returning to lowered position as the end of each t pe form passes over it. a h ty form t as vprints and automatically feed: the work, and one complete rotation of the printing wheel serves to impress the selected characters upon the work in order, and with a uniform s acing distancebetween adjoining a words. e impression having in this manner been completedfand the type wheel restoredto starting/position, thework may be removed at the left hand side of the machine. Should it be desired to repeat the ,same impression, the t members are left in their adjusted positions and it is only necessary to place the workin the machine and rotate the type wheel once for each impression, so that where there are a number of checks for the same amount to be printed, -the operation of the machine is verv'rapid. When it is desired to set up a difi'erent amount on the machine the centering device paratus, a support; a

each having a plurality of circumferentially extending type forms; a platen adapted to cooperate individually with said forms; manually manipulative means comprising an indicating device movable relative to the type forms and having connections for moving each member independently in a direction parallel with the axisof the carrier for .110 may be actuatedto unlock the type bars after bringing its forms, selectively, to I osition for cooperation with the platen; an -means for rotating said carrier to bring the semovement on said carrier to bring its type forms selectively to position for cooperation with said platen; manipulative devices movable relatlve to the type forms and havmg connections for effecting linear sliding move- I ment of the type bars to select desired type forms for printing; and operating means for moving said carrier in a direction transverse to said type bars to bring the, selected type forms into rolling cooperation with the platen to print and feed the work.

3. In a printing apparatus, a rotary v platen; a carrler havlng a plurality of guide ways; a plurality of type bars on said carrier each provided with a plurality of type forms and having a linear sliding movement in one of said guideways to bring its type forms selectively to positlon for cooperation with said platen; manipulative devices movable relative to the type forms and con-' nected to eflect linear sliding movement of the type bars to select the type forms for printing and operating means for moving said carrier in a direction transverse to said type bars to bring the selected type forms into rollin coo eration with the platen to print and eed t e work.

4. In a printing apparatus, a rotary platen; a carrier; a plurality of type bars thereon each provided with a plurality of type forms, and having a linear sliding movement on said carrier to bring its type forms selectively to position for cooperation with said platen; selecting mechanism including a device movable relative to the type bars and having connections for adjusting and indicating the position of each type bar; and operating means for moving said carrier in a direction transverse to said type bars to bring the selected type forms into rolling cooperation with the platen to print and feed the work.

5. In a printing apparatus, a rotary platen; a carrier having a plurality of guide ways; a plurality of type bars on said carrier each provided with a plurality of type forms and having a linear sliding movement in one of said uide ways to bring its type forms selective y to osition for cooperation with said platen; sel cting mechanism movable relative to the type bars and including devices for adjusting and indicating the position of each type bar; and operating means for moving said carrier in a direction transverse to said type bars to bring the selected 'feed the work.

type forrns into rolling coo ration with the platen to print and feed t 0 work.

6. In a printing apparatus, a type wheel; A

a pluralit 'of movable; t pe supporting members disposed in space relation about the circumference of the wheel; a plurality of separate type forms on each member arranged to be broughtby the movement of I the member selectively to a common printing line extending circumferentially of the wheel; a platen designed for cooperation successively and exclusively with the type 7 forms in said printing line; a setting device including a dial and pointer for each of said members, said pointer being movable rela tive to the dial an'd'type forms and having connections for effecting said selective movement thereof; and operating means for rotating said wheel to bring the type forms in th'e'printing line successively into rolling coaction with-the platen to print and feed the work.

r7. In a printing apparatus, a platen; a

type wheel; a pluralit of type supportingmembers in spaced re ation about the circumference of said wheel and having a sliding movement axially thereof; type forms on each member spaced from each other axially of the wheeland extending circume ferentially thereof; setting devices on the end of said wheel movable relative to the type supporting members and having connections for moving said members to bring the type forms of each member selectively to position for coaction with the platen; and operating means for rotating said wheel to bring the selected type forms successively into rolling coaction with the platen to print and feed the work.

8. In a printing apparatus, a platen; a type wheel; a plurality of type supporting members spaced about the circumference of the wheel and each slidable axially thereof to bring a plurality of type forms selectively to position for coaction with the platen; selective mechanism for moving the individual members including a rack and inion, and an indicating device on the end 0 the wheel; and operating means for rotating the wheel and bringing the selected type forms into rolling coaction with the platen to print and 9. In a printing apparatus, a platen; a type wheel; a support for said wheel at one end thereof; a plurality of type supportin members spaced about the periphery of said wheel and provided with a plurality of type forms, said members being slidable axially of the wheel to bring said type forms selec- 'tively to position for coaction with the platen; selecting mechanism on the other end of said wheel movable relative tothe type supporting members and connected to effect said selective movement of the members; and operating means for rotating said,

wheel to bring the selected type forms successively into rolling coaction with the platen to print and feed the work.

10. In a printing apparatus, a plurality of type forms arranged in a plurality of rows, said rows being longitudinally movable independently of each other to bring the forms of each row selectively to printing position; a rotary platen adapted for coiiperation with said type forms, said rows of forms bee each group having their terminations in a line extending axially of the carrier; selecting means for shifting said groups to bring the type forms of each group selectively to printing position in a line extending cir-. cumferenti ally of the carrier; a platen adapted for individual coaction with the selected type forms and movable toward and from operative position; a cam on the carrier and means cotiperating with the cam and connected with the platen for moving the platen to inoperative position as the line of termination of the forms of each group passes the platen during the rotation of the carrier; and operating means for rotating the carrier.

12. In a printin apparatus, a rotary type carrier; a plurali y of type forms thereon arranged in a plurality of groups each extending axially of the carrier, the forms of each group having their terminations in a line extending axially of the carrier; selecting means for shifting said groups to bring the type forms of each group selectively to printing position in a line extending circumferentially of the c a rrier; a platen adapted for individual coaction with the selected type forms and movable toward and fromoperative position; a cam on the carrier and means cooperating with the cam and connected with the platen for moving the platen to operative position as each selected type form approaches the platen and to inoperative position as the line of terminations of the corresponding group approaches the platen during the rotation of the carrier; and operating means for rotating the carrier.

13. In a printing apparatus, a plurality of type supporting members each provided with a plurality of type forms and being movable to bring said forms selectively to printing position; a rotary laten for cooperation with the selecte forms, said members and platen being relatively movable to bring the selected forms and platen into successive rolling engagement to print and feed the work, and a centering device for centerin and locking the selected type forms in printing position, operated automatically by said relative printing movement of said members and platen.

14:. In a printing apparatus, a plurality of type supporting members each provided with a plurality of type forms and being movable to bring said forms selectively to printing position; a rotary platen for cooperation with the selected forms, said members and platen being relatively movable to bring the selected forms and platen into successive rolling engagement to print and feed the work; and a device for automatically centering and locking the selected type forms in printing position including a cam and fol- 8 lower brought into cooperation by said relative printing movement of said members and platen.

15. In a printing apparatus, a platen, a rotary carrier; a p urality of type supporting members spaced about the periphery of said carrier and each movable axially thereof to bring a plurality of type forms selectively to position for coaction with the platen; restoring means for simultaneously restoring said members to zero position; and operating means for rotating the carrier to bring the selected type form's successively into rolling printing coaction with the platen.

16. In a printing ap aratus; a platen; a rotary carrier; a p ura ity of type supporting members spacedabout the periphery of sa1d carrier and each movable axially thereof to bring a plurality of type forms selectively to position for coaction with the platen; selecting devices for effect the type selecting movement of said mem rs; restoring means cooperating with said selecting devices for restoring all of said members to zero position; and operating means for rotating said carrier to brin the selected type forms successively into ro ling printing coaction with the platen.

17. In a printing a paratus, a rotatabledrum, type carriers adJustable axially of the drum to bring desired word forms to a printing line extending circumferentially of i so movement on the cylinder axially of the cylinder, rotatable knobs on one end of the cylinder, connections intermediate the knobs and type carriers whereby rotation of the knobs will effect adjustment, of the type carriers to set desired type at a "printin line extending circumferentially of the cylinder,

means for rotating the cylinderto effect printing from the type at said printing line, a platen, and vmeans for movin the platen in and out of cooperating relation with the type b rotation of the cylinder.

19. n a printing-apparatus, a type carrier having a cylindrical surface and a substantially plane surface and supported for rotation about, the axis of said cylindrical surface; 1; bars on said cylindrical surface movab e parallel with the axis thereof to position varioust pe forms, selectively, in alinement circum erentially of said cylindrical surface; selecting means on said plane surface of the carrier including indicating means for effecting said movement of the-type bars; and a-rotary platen for coaction with the alined type forms durin the rotation of the carrier to print and-fee the work. 4

20. In a printing apparatus, a type-carrier having acylindrical surface and. a substantially plane surface and supported for rotation about the axis of said cylindrical a x1s to position various t -t 1vely in ahnement circum erentlally of the surface; type bars on said cylindrical surface provided with aplurality of type forms spaced lon 'tudinall thereof, said bars being adjusta le paral elwith said cylindrical pe forms seleccarrier; seleetin meansfincluding indicating means on said plane surface or efiecting said adjustment of the type bars; a rotary platen for co-action with the selected -able parallel to the axis of the carrier to position different type at a rinting line; a platen movable in and out 0 position to cooperate with the type at such printing line and devices whereby rotation of the carrier will move the platen in and out of position to coiiperate with said type toprint .and feed the work.

LIBANUS M. TODD. MAGNUS H. JOHANSON. Witnesses:

FRANK L. Coven, Cums G. Trust. 

